Apparatus for drying and germinating malt



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. H E. RATHMANN.

APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND GERMINATING MALT.

No. 455,355. Patented Nov. 1, 1892.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.. J. H. E. RATHMANN.

APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND GERMINATING MALT.

Patented Nov. 1, 1892;

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5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

J. H. E. RATHMANN. APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND GERMINATING MALT.

Patented Nov. 1, 1892.

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(No ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND GERMINATING MALT.

No. 485,355 A Patented Nov. 1, 1892.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

J. H. E. RATHMANN. APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND GERMINATING MALT.

No. 485,355. Patented Nov. 1, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()F ICE.

JOIIANN II. E. RATHMANN, OF BUFFALO, NEYV YORK.

APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND GERMINATING MALT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 485,355, dated November1, 1892.

Application filed June 20, 1892. Serial No. 437,327. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHANN H. E. RATH- MANN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Dryingand Germinating Malt, &c. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus which is designed for germinatinggrain in the production of malt, but which may also be used for dryinggrain, &c.

The invention has more particular reference to apparatus of this classwhich consists of a number of connecting compartments or chambersarranged one above the other, each containing a rotary table or diskupon which the grain is deposited and each being connected with anair-supply tube or conduit which delivers an air-current to thecompartments.

The object of my invention is to convey the material over the severaltables and through the several compartments of the apparatus in bodiesor layers of uniform thickness, so as to expose all portions of thegrain uniformly to the action of the air and thereby produce a uniformproduct.

The invention has the further objects to improve the construction of theapparatus in various details and to provide the apparatus with drivingmechanism, whereby the same may be operated at a very slow speed whenused as a germinator'or at a higher speed in charging the apparatus andwhen using it as a drier.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of five sheets, Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevationthereof, the plane of section being at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa fragmentary sectional elevation of the apparatus on an enlarged scale.Fig. 4 is a horizontal section in line 1 1, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similarsection in line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a side elevation, on an enlargedscale, of one of the conveyors and its supporting-bracket. Fig. 7 is avertical cross-section thereof in line 3 3, Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sideelevation of the driving mechanism of the apparatus. Fig. 9 is a topplan view thereof on an enlarged scale. Fig. 10 is a vertical section ofthe same in line 4 4, Fig. 9, showing the means for throwing the worm ofthe driving mechanism into and out of gear with the worm-wheel, the wormbeing shown out of gear. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the positionof the parts when the worm is in gear.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents a suitable base or foundation for the apparatus, and Brepresents a-number of upright columns or posts upon said baseequidistant from the center and forming the stationary frame of theapparatus. These columns are firmly connected together at intervals byhorizontal braces.

C represents a number of circular chambers or compartments arrangedbetween the columns B, one above the other, and supported by horizontallugs or ears 0, formed at the circumference of the compartments andresting upon brackets 0', formed on the inner sides of the columns 15,as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. Each of these compartments is providedwith an imperforate top plate 0, an imperforate annular side wall C anda perforated bottom plate 0 which is preferably conical. The side wallof each compartment is formed at its lower edge with an inwardlyprojecting rim (Z, to which is secured the upper edge of its perforatedbottom, while the compartmentnext below is provided centrally in its topwith an upwardly-projecting flaring rim or flange d, to which the loweredge of said perforated bottom is secured. Each compartment is formed inits perforated bottom with a central opening, which coincides with asimilar opening formed in the imperforate top of the compartment nextbelow, thereby placing the several compartments in communication witheach other.

E represents a hollow upright shaft or airtube extending centrallythrough the several compartments, and F are perforated horizontal disksor tables arranged in the compartments and secured to the air-tube E, soas to rotate therewith. Each of these tables extends from the air-tubeoutwardly nearly to the surrounding side wall of the compartment, so asto leave an annular space between the peripheral edge of the table andthe side wall, through which the material falling over the edge of thetable drops upon the perforated bottom of the compartment. The air-tubeE is connected at its upper end to a vertical shaftg, which is attachedto a spider g,secured Within the tube. This shaft turns in a bearingsupported upon a horizontal frame G, which is secured to the upper endsof the columns B. The air-tube is supported at its lower end upon avertical shaft h, which is secured with its upper portion to radial armsor spiders h, secured within the tube, and which turns with its lowerend in a step-bearing W.

I is a stationary air-tube which projects with its upper end into thelower end of the air-tube E and from which the air is delivered into therotary air-tube. Air is supplied to this stationary tube by means of apipe 1',

which is connected with a blower or other air propelling device. (Notshown in the drawings.)

j represents tiers of air-exit openings formed in the air-tube E, andthrough which the air passes from the central tube into the severalcompartments. Each tier of openings is arranged below the perforatedtable, so that the air issuing therefrom passes upward through the tableas well as laterally through the perforated bottom of the compartment.

K represents the feed-hopper, having its spout connected with theuppermost compartment of the series, so as to deposit the grain upon thetable of said compartment. .L is a discharge-hopper arranged below thelowermost compartment and receiving the material from thedischarge-opening in the bottom of said compartment. The spout Z of thishopper leads to a receiver M, in which is arranged the boot of anelevator M, whereby the ma-' terial after having traversed the apparatusmay be elevated and stored or returned into the feed-hopper and againpassed through the apparatus, as may be desired. For this purpose theelevator-head is provided with a movable or swiveling spout of anywellknown construction, so that the spout may be brought over thefeed-hopper or turned to one side thereof.

The spouts of the feed-hopper K and discharge-hopper L are provided withautomatic valves n n',.which permit the material to pass by the same,but prevent the escape of air through the spouts, thereby compelling theair to pass through the grain and the perforations of the compartments.

represents stationary obliqueblades or deflectors arranged in eachcompartment above its rotary table and attached to brackets 0, securedto the under side of the top plate of the compartment. The lower ends ofthese deflectors are arranged in close proximity to the upper side ofthe perforated table and are inclined in the proper direction to movethe grain on the table outwardly toward the peripheral edge thereof, soas to discharge the same upon the outer portion of the perforated bottomof the compartment.

As shown in Fig. 5, the blades 0 are arranged in a scroll or spiral linewinding outward from the central portion of the perforated table to theperiphery thereof, and the front end of each deflector is arranged atabout the same distance from the centerof the table as the rear end ofthe deflector preceding it, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5.By these deflectors the grain is moved on the table outward toward theperiphery thereof as it comes in contact with the stationary deflectorsand is finally discharged over the edge of the table by the deflectorarranged nearest its periphery.

The grain lying on the central portion of the rotary table has a slowerperipheral speed than that lying farther toward the periphery, and inorderto maintain a uniform thickness of the layer of grain upon allparts of the table the grain must be conveyed outwardly over the centralportion of the table at a greater speed than over the peripheralportion. To effect this movement of the grain with aspeed whichgradually decreases from the center outwardly, the blades or deflectorsare set at a gradually-diminishing angle from the center toward theperiphery of the table, as shown in Fig. 5.

p represents rotary oblique conveyers or blades depending from the underside of each rotary table and running in close proximity to theperforated bottom arranged below the table. These movable conveyors arealso arranged at a gradually-diminishing angle from the center to theperiphery; but as the con veyers rotate with the table and the materialupon the perforated bottom of the compartment is as rest they move thelayer of grain inwardly on the bottom toward the centraldischarge-opening of the bottom and finally cause it to drop throughsaid opening upon the central portion of the perforated table of thecompartment next below. The material upon the rotary tables is thusgradually moved outwardly by contact with the depending stationaryblades 0 and finally discharged over the edge of the table uponthestationary bottom of the compartment, while the material dischargedupon said bottom is gradually moved inwardly on the bottom anddischarged through the central discharge-opening of the compartment bythe traveling blades 9, and the speed of the grain is so regulated bythe different angles of the blades that a uniform thickness of thelayers of grain is maintained, thereby insuring a uniform action of theaircurrent upon the grain.

Each deflector O is preferably made vertically adjustable on its bracketby a horizontal bolt 0', passing through an upright slot in the bracket,as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, so that it can be adjusted with reference tothe surface g represents a conical or downwardly-flaring shield ordeflector arranged upon the central portion of each table around thecentral air-tube and serving to deflect the material outwardly, whichdrops down around the central tube, so as to bringit within reach of theinner stationary deflector or deflectors.

When the apparatus is used as a germin'ator, the grain-carrying tablesare rotated at a slow speed, so as to carry the grain through theapparatus very slowly, while in charging the apparatus and when using itas a drier the tables may be rotated at a higher speed.

Any suitable mechanism may be used for driving the hollow shaft orair-tube at a higher or lower speed; but the driving mechanism shown inthe drawings is preferably employed for this purpose. This mechanism isconstructed as follows:

R represents ahorizontal driving-shaf t provided at its inner end with abevel-pinion R, which meshes with a horizontal bevel-wheel R secured tothe upper endof the upright shaft 9 of the hollow shaft E. Thedrivingshaft R turns in bearings arranged in standards r, secured to thehorizontal top frame of the apparatus.

S S are respectively tight and loose pulleys mounted on thedriving-shaft R, and S is the driving-belt.

S is a bevel-pinion formed on or secured to the loose pulley S, so as toturn therewith and which meshes with a bevel-wheel T, mounted upon ahorizontal counter-shaft 25, arranged at right angles to thedriving-shaft-.

t is a spur-pinion secured to the countershaft tand engaging with aspur-wheel 25*, secured to a worm-shaft t arranged parallel with thecounter-shaft t.

u is a worm fixed to the shaft 15 and adapted to engage with aworm-wheel u, secured Y to the driving-shaft R. The shaft of the worm uis made vertically adjustable toward andfrom the worm-Wheel, so that theworm can be thrown into or out of gear with the worm-wheel. For thispurpose the wormshaft is journaled in eccentric-boxes a havingshifting-arms a which are connected by a cross-bar a, so that by raisingor lowering said bar the eccentric-boxes are simultaneously turned intheir bearings and the wormshaft is raised or lowered for throwing theworm into or out of gear with the wormwheel. The worm is preferably heldin gear with the worm-wheel by a cord to, attached to the connecting-barof, running upwardly over a guide-pulley u and fastened with its lowerend to a suitable support, while the worm is thrown out of gear whensaid cord is released by a weight a", suspended from saidconnecting-bar.

When it is desired to drive the rotary tables at a very slow speed, thedriving-belt is shifted upon the loose pulley S and the worm is throwninto gear with the worm-wheel 011 the driving-shaft. Thecomparatively-fast speed of the loose pulley will now be transmitted tothe driving-shaft R at a greatlyreduced speed through the medium of thebevel-wheels S T, spur-wheels t 25 worm u, and worm-wheel u. WVhen it isdesired to drive the rotary tables at a higher speed, the driving beltis shifted upon the tight pulley S and the worm is thrown out of gearwith the worm-wheel, when the motion of the tight pulley will betransmitted directly to the hollow shaft E by the bevel-wheels S T,while the other gearing remains at rest. In order to stop the apparatus,the drivingbelt is shifted upon the loose pulley S and the worm isthrown out of gear with the wormwheel of the driving-shaft, in whichcase the train of gearing extending from the loose pulley to theworm-shaft simplyruns loose without aitecting the driving-shaft.

The grain fed into the hopper K is delivered upon, the central portionof the rotary table of the uppermost compartment and gradually-movedoutward over the table in a layer of uniform thickness, by contact withthe stationary deflectors above the table until it reaches the peripheryof the table, when it drops upon the peripheral portion of theperforated bottom of the compartment. From this point it is graduallymoved inwardly on said bottom in a layer of uniform thickness by therotary conveyers p and discharged through the central opening in thesame and upon the central portion of the rotary table next below. Thegrain is caused to traverse this table and the bottom of its compartmentin a similar manner, and so on throughout the entire series ofcompartments until it is finally discharged from the lowermostcompartment into the receiving-hopper M, whence it may be again elevatedand passed through the apparatus or diverted and stored. As the grain iscarried through the apparatus itis exposed to the action of theair-currents, which enter the compartments from the air-tube E and passupwardly through the layers of grain upon the perforated tables andlaterally through the layers onthe perforated bottoms of thecompartments.

When the apparatus is used for drying purposes, hotair is supplied tothe tube E, while when the apparatus is employed as a germinator coldair is usually supplied.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination,witha chamber or compartmenthaving an inlet in its top near its center and a similarly-locatedoutlet in its bottom, of a rotary table arranged in said compartment,stationary blades arranged above said table and secured to the top ofthe compartment and inclined to move the material outwardly over saidtable, oblique rotary blades arranged above the bottom of the com,partment and adapted to move the material inwardly over said bottom, anda central airsupply tube, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination,with a chamber or compartment having an inlet at itstop near its IIO 3. The combination, with a chamber or compartmenthaving an inlet in its top near its center and a similarly-locatedoutlet in its bottom, of a central air-tube, a rotary table arranged insaid compartment and carried by said air-tube, oblique stationary bladesse cured to the under side of the top of the compartment and adapted tomove the material outwardly over said table, oblique rotary bladessecured to the under side of the table and adapted to move the materialinwardly over the bottom of the compartment, and a downwardly-flaringshield arranged upon the table around the central air-tube anddeflecting the incoming material outwardly within reach of thestationary blades, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination,with a horizontal chamber or compartment provided inits top near itscenter with an inlet and in its bottom with asimilarly-located outlet, of a rotary horizontal table arranged in saidcompartment and receiving the material from the inlet of thecompartment, and oblique stationary blades or deflectors arranged abovesaid table and set at a gradually-diminishing angle from the centralportion of the table toward its periphery, substantially as set forth.

5. The combinatiomwith a horizontal chamber or compartment provided inits top near its center with an inlet and in its bottom with asimilarly-located outlet, of arotary horizontal table arranged in saidcompartment, oblique stationary blades or deflectors arranged above saidtable and set at a gradually-diminishing angle from the center towardthe periphery of the table, whereby the material upon the table is movedoutwardly with gradually-diminishing speed, and rotary oblique blades orconveyors arranged above the bottom of the compartment and set at agradually-diminishing angle from the center toward theperiphery of saidbottom, whereby the material on said bottom is conveyed inwardly withgradually-increased speed, substantially as set forth.

6. The combinatiomwithahorizontal chamher or compartment having an inletin its top near its center and a similarly-located outlet in its bottom,of a rotary table arranged in saidcompartment, oblique stationary bladesor deflectors arranged above said table, and oblique rotary bladesarranged above the bottom of the compartment,both of said stationary androtary sets of blades being arranged in spiral lines winding outwardfrom the center of the compartment and placed at a gradually-dimiuishing angle from the center toward v 3 7 the periphery of the compartment,substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with a horizontal compartment having an inlet in itstop near its center, a perforated bottom, and an outlet in said bottomnear its center, of an upright hollow shaft or air-tube extendingthrough said compartment and communicating with the same, a perforatedrotary table secured to said hollow shaft, stationary oblique bladesdepending from the top of the compartment, arranged in a spiral line andat a gradually-diminishing angle from the center toward the periphery ofthe table, and oblique conveyors or blades depending from the under sideof the rotary table and arranged ina spiral line and at agradually-diminishing angle from the center toward the periphery of thebottom of the compartment, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 10th day or June, 1892.

JOHANN H. E. RATHMANN.

Witnesses:

FRED. O. GEYER, JNo. J. BONNER.

